Brant Miller – In the Meantime
This roots-music-flavored set is Nashville-based artist Brant Miller’s new collection inspired by artists who performed folk, country, bluegrass & blues. The self-produced In the Meantime (Drops July 31/Independent/41:00) contains 12 originals recorded primarily in East Nashville, TN.
Originally from upstate NY, Brant (vocals/harmonica/acoustic guitar) sings with a warm folky pastoral tone. “In the Meantime” is delicate, with banjo picking, fiddle sawing & acoustic guitars. He reminds me of folk singer/actor Hamilton Camp. Camp had vigor, varied homegrown material, & sometimes performed/recorded with Bob Gibson.
There are some typical folky light-hearted tunes (“The Great Experiment”) that can be construed or appreciated. The music is fine; the intent is good, so I’d listen with appreciation for the music. “Sometimes You Just Have To Let It Go” is an optimistic song about toleration. A good message song.
More in a Woody Guthrie/Ramblin’ Jack Elliott style is “My Wild Oats Are Sown,” which sounds like it would’ve made a great Peter, Paul & Mary song. Brief but agile harmonica & piano solos lay down nice breaks during a well-recorded session. “As I Build This House” is both Spanish-flavored & vintage in its production ardor with fiddle & harmonica. If Hoagy Carmichael sang these types of songs, this would be what he might sound like. Brant tries to bridge gaps in today’s political friction with a solution in “Something We Can Agree On.” He doesn’t get controversial; instead, he lets the song title say it all. A good effort…a good message & it could become a good singalong too.
Not all tunes will resonate even though Brant avoids preaching & pontificating. The majority have wonderful instrumentation, melodies & despite some clichéd lyrics (“Our Love Still Stands”), it still comes across with good sound. Brant isn’t as smooth as Sinatra, creative as Dylan, or as strong a vocalist as Fred Neil, but he projects a good character in his songs. Nothing too radical, controversial, or campy. Brant keeps a tight rein on his easily agreeable messages.
Highlights – “In the Meantime,” “Sometimes You Just Have To Let It Go,” “My Wild Oats Are Sown,” “As I Build This House,” “Our Love Still Stands,” & “Something We Can Agree On.”
Musicians – Will Kimbrough (harmony/acoustic guitar), Chris Leuzinger (2nd acoustic guitar/electric guitar), Catherine Marx (piano/keys), Mark Burchfield & Larry Crew (bass), Wanda Vick Burchfield (banjo/dobro/mandolin/fiddle), Larry Franklin (fiddle), Sarah Clanton (cello) & Dennis Holt (drums/percussion). The Mariachi Band: Juan Diego Sandoval (violin/harmony), Juan Pablo Sandoval (2nd violin), Jorge Morales (vihuela), Ignacio Godinez (guitarron) & Francisco Javier Sandoval (trumpet) with Tamra Rosanes, Sarah Bonsignore, Claire Lynch, Becky Hobbs, John McCutcheon, & Jeanette Williams (harmonies).
There’s a 16pp stitched lyric insert included. Color image by Nathan Zucker. CD @ https://brantmillermusic.com/ & https://missjillpr.com/brant-miller-is-steady-as-he-goes-with-his-mind-and-time/